Parental Involvement in Upper Elementary School

Why is Parental Involvement in Math Important in Intermediate Grades and How Can It Be Accomplished?


Why?
  • Research has shown that parent involvement, especially during the pivotal middle school years, predicts higher achievement math.
  • As students get older they are placed in a fast track, regular or remedial math track. Students placed in the fast track math track typically have a more involved parent at home supporting them with their math work.
  • Parents’ attitudes and beliefs in math have a direct effect on their children’s beliefs and attitude toward math.
  • Children whose parents worked with them on math activities at home demonstrated higher achievement than students with no support at home.
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How?
  • Parent-student homework assignments are a great way to get parents involved in the math their students are learning. This type of homework assignment also increases communication between home and school and the number of student completing the homework assignments has increased.
  • Providing parents with the tools and resources they need to help students with homework and other math related projects and assignments at home is critical.
  • Parents and children can read together young teen books that focus on mathematical topics. These books will help students explore and learn about various math concepts and will also provide an opportunity for parents and their children to talk about and discuss the math topics together.
  • Teachers and schools should provide parents the opportunity to attend workshops and training sessions that will demonstrate how parents can be more involved in their children’s math education and what can be done at home to support it.